We're down to a great eight teams in the battle to get to Super Bowl XLVII in New Orleans. After some less than compelling games in the wild-card round, the NFL's divisional playoffs are bound to provide more intrigue.

As usual, the spotlight shines brightest on the quarterbacks. While Peyton Manning and Tom Brady seek more postseason success off a bye, Matt Ryan is looking for the first taste of it. The weekend's best passing duel, however, will happen by the Bay:

NFC Game/Upset of the Week

Green Bay Packers at San Francisco 49ers (Saturday, 8 p.m. ET, FOX). This is a rematch of a Week 1 game in which the 49ers, with Alex Smith at quarterback, physically dominated the Packers at Lambeau Field. The Packers will remember that and take the fight back to the 49ers at Candlestick Park.

With a powerful running game and complementary efficient play from Smith, the 49ers were able to score enough to hold off Aaron Rodgers. Now they're calling on dynamic second-year man Colin Kaepernick to do the same thing.

The Packers' secondary has played well, but they are still vulnerable to teams that can spread them out and get the ball to a variety of weapons. That's exactly the aggressive game plan Green Bay can expect to face with Greg Roman calling the shots for Kaepernick, except now it must also contend with strong running from the quarterback.

The 49ers will move the ball, and Rodgers will need to respond. He'll face a strong edge pass rush from Aldon Smith, but it's uncertain if Justin Smith is healthy enough to be his usual disruptive self inside. The Packers have all their receiving targets healthy to have Rodgers effectively operate a quick-strike game. They also should work in more of the running game with undrafted find DuJuan Harris.

In what should be a high-scoring, back-and-forth affair, it's just a little easier to trust the Super Bowl-winning Rodgers—a Northern California native—over the young upstart. Prediction: Packers 38, 49ers 34.

AFC Game of the Week

Baltimore Ravens at Denver Broncos (Saturday, 4:30 p.m. ET, CBS). The Ravens have a little extra juice for the playoffs, given any game could be the last for Ray Lewis. They'll need every bit of it to slow down the Peyton Manning express. The Broncos' 11-game winning streak included a 34-17 romp in Baltimore.

As much trouble as Lewis and the rest of the defense will have against Manning, there should be more issues for the Ravens' offense. With Von Miller leading the way, the Broncos will be stingy toward Ray Rice and the running game, and even more dangerous with the league's best pass rush against Joe Flacco. A second ring isn't in the cards for Lewis, but Manning will still have that great chance. Prediction: Broncos 27, Ravens 17.

Lock of the Week

Houston Texans at New England Patriots (Sunday, 4:30 p.m. ET, CBS). The Patriots offense had no problems in the Week 14 matchup between these teams, just a month ago at Gillette Stadium. There is little reason to think the results will be much different back at Foxborough.

Before the Texans could even get warmed up, they faced a 28-0 deficit in a eventual 42-14 defeat. The Patriots focused on stuffing Arian Foster, and Matt Schaub wasn't able to keep up with Brady. This time, Brady will also have his best, toughest-to-cover receiver—tight end Rob Gronkowski—in the lineup. Although the best Texan, defensive end J.J. Watt will have his moments, the Patriots will score more than 30 again. As the Texans have struggled to score 20, they will fall well short again. Prediction: Patriots 34, Texans 16.

Rest of the Week

Seattle Seahawks at Atlanta Falcons (Sunday, 1 p.m. ET, FOX). Ryan has never played this well for the Falcons and that's a big reason why they will get past a tough opponent to get his first playoff win. Expect Atlanta to go on the attack with its passing game, a trademark all season. When Ryan throws, he should find favorable matchups for Julio Jones and Tony Gonzalez, while Seahawks top cornerback Richard Sherman works to shut down Roddy White. Rookie counterpart Russell Wilson will come in calm and collected, but the Falcons' defense will make a big play to seal the game late. Prediction: Falcons 24, Seahawks 20.